President blames ‘negligence’ after 14 Kazakh soldiers die at sea
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sharply criticized the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 14 military personnel during exercises in the Mangystau region. He said the families of the deceased would receive all necessary assistance and ordered an investigation into the actions of officials responsible for the exercises.
«I have sent telegrams of condolence to the parents of all the fallen servicemen. The relatives of the deceased will receive all necessary assistance. No family will be left without support,» the president said.
Tokayev described the deaths of the servicemen during peacetime as the result of criminal-level unprofessionalism among officers, including generals. He called for an investigation not only into the circumstances of the tragedy but also into who decided to hold the exercises and whether their objectives were aligned with modern threats.
«Long-standing problems in the army remain unaddressed by the leadership year after year, undermining the country’s defense capability. No lessons have been learned from past tragedies. Who devised and approved the plan for these exercises? What was the role and coordination of the General Staff? Why was the commander in chief of the Naval Forces not present at the exercises? Irresponsibility, negligence and a culture of putting on a show have become the norm. There is no systematic approach, and crisis response plans are woefully inadequate. All of this is the result of the military leadership’s indifference,» the president said.
Investigation and audit ordered
According to Tokayev, the servicemen were not provided with the necessary equipment, including life jackets, during the exercises. He instructed a government commission to assess the actions of everyone responsible for planning and conducting the exercises, supplying personnel and ensuring that safety protocols were followed.
On Tokayev’s orders, a comprehensive inspection of the Defense Ministry has also been launched. It will cover the organization of military service, supply operations, and the army’s material and financial support systems. The commission is headed by Aida Balayeva, deputy chair of the Security Council. Her task is to identify violations and determine which individuals should be held accountable.
The president emphasized that neither rank nor position exempts anyone from responsibility and said he is personally overseeing the matter.
Myrzakhmetov appointed defense minister
«This tragic incident has clearly exposed numerous shortcomings and a lack of professionalism within the army. The time has come for radical military reform; this is an urgent priority. Consequently, I have made personnel changes. I present to you the new defense minister, Aidos Myrzakhmetov. He is assuming office at a challenging time. He bears immense responsibility and faces extremely complex tasks. Decisive action is required,» Tokayev concluded.
Myrzakhmetov was appointed defense minister on Sept. 27, replacing Dauren Kossanov, who was dismissed following the deaths of the 14 servicemen during the Caspian Sea exercise. Myrzakhmetov previously served as commander of Kazakhstan’s Special Operations Forces.
